Arsenal vs. Villarreal - CL quarterfinal discussion thread

I think Arsenal will go through comfortably. Villarreal this year aren't all that, esp. in defense.

It will be closer than a lot of people think. Hopefully we have more a less a fully fit squad by the time this tie comes around.

Our players have a problem with mentality. If we approach this correctly we should do well.

Anyone got any idea what Villarreal's likely firs team will be for the tie?

If Pires plays he's sure to get a fantastic reception at the Emirates.

Pires usually doesn't start, but there's every chance he'll come on as a sub if fit.

Otherwise their starting lineup for the first leg will probably be a 4-5-1 with Rossi alone up front and Ibagaza playing off him. But I wouldn't be afraid and start both Rossi-Llorente, as they are a potent combo.

Rossi wouldn't be a problem for ou centre backs IMO. Llorente certainly would be though IMO and I'd be far more scared if he were to start.

We just need to convert our chances this time. Some of the finishing in our home leg against Roma was beyond embarassing.

Hopefully Ade and Eduardo are firing.

Diego Lopez has been outstanding this year, he could really be the difference for Villarreal considering their defence has not been good. Not sure if Gonzalo will be fit but if he is that would be a huge boost for Villarreal. Also not sure if Nihat will be ready or not. I think it will be a really intriguing tie.

I play this line up for Villarreal on Fifa:

---------Rossi---Nihat----------
Pires-------Ibagaza-------Carzola
------------Senna-------------
defender-defender-defender-defender

No idea what they do/will field though. Saw their game against Atleti on the weekend and I was hearing some names completely foreign to me.

Very much so depends on which Arsenal turns up. As I said we have real mentality issues.

When was the last time Nihat played?

Nihat was out for a long time, made his comeback but then picked up another minor injury shortly after. But I just checked and he is included in Villarreal's squad for the match at the weekend. Gonzalo is available for selection too.

What is their defence, I know Capdevilla is a good LB and Rodriguez at CB, but who else and anyone of note?

Will Mati play? He's impressed me when I've seen him.

If everyone is fit, Villarreal will most likely play

---------------------D. Lopez

Angel-------Gonzalo------Godin-------Capdevila

Cazorla------Senna-----Eguren-----Ibagaza/Cani

------------Nihat/Llorente----Rossi

Cani has been in excellent form of late and has been featuring in the the starting eleven quite a lot.

Thanks Jaime.

I was expecting a lot of goals the last time these two teams met but it was only 1-0 over the 2 legs. Wouldn't suprise me to see it follow suit this time.

Ray Parlour wrote:Thanks Jaime.

I was expecting a lot of goals the last time these two teams met but it was only 1-0 over the 2 legs. Wouldn't suprise me to see it follow suit this time.

Villarreal can be quite stingy at the back when the put their mind to it. With Diego Lopez, Gonzalo, and Senna they have a very strong backbone to the side.

Jaime wrote:If everyone is fit, Villarreal will most likely play

---------------------D. Lopez

Angel-------Gonzalo------Godin-------Capdevila

Cazorla------Senna-----Eguren-----Ibagaza/Cani

------------Nihat/Llorente----Rossi

Cani has been in excellent form of late and has been featuring in the the starting eleven quite a lot.

Cheers Jaime. I always sign Cani in champo

Is Eguren the guy with nice technique who scored that reasonably long range goal in the knock outs.

I feel so bad for not knowing who he is!

kas wrote:Pires usually doesn't start, but there's every chance he'll come on as a sub if fit.

Otherwise their starting lineup for the first leg will probably be a 4-5-1 with Rossi alone up front and Ibagaza playing off him. But I wouldn't be afraid and start both Rossi-Llorente, as they are a potent combo.

think we'll probably see:
------Defence
Carzola---Senna---Eguren---Ibagaza/Pires
-------------Ibagaza/Rossi
------------------Rossi/Llorente

Imagine if there are enough injuries that we see Cygan's return to Arsenal

Trying to think of Villarreal's attributes just reminded me of how little La Liga Football I've watched in the last 18 months.

Why is their defence considered poor? Is it because of the personnel or is it something Pellegrini (I assume he's still the coach) doesn't pay much attention to or do they play over attacking Football?

Cazorla against Clichy is what I'd be wary of.

Will be interesting to see what midfield we play. Cesc should be ready for this as Arsene said he's due to return against Man City on April 4th 3 /4 days before this game.

Tweedle wrote:

Jaime wrote:If everyone is fit, Villarreal will most likely play

---------------------D. Lopez

Angel-------Gonzalo------Godin-------Capdevila

Cazorla------Senna-----Eguren-----Ibagaza/Cani

------------Nihat/Llorente----Rossi

Cani has been in excellent form of late and has been featuring in the the starting eleven quite a lot.

Cheers Jaime. I always sign Cani in champo

Is Eguren the guy with nice technique who scored that reasonably long range goal in the knock outs.

I feel so bad for not knowing who he is!

No, Eguren didn't score...in fact he rarely does. You are probably thinking of Ibagaza.

Black Magic wrote:Trying to think of Villarreal's attributes just reminded me of how little La Liga Football I've watched in the last 18 months.

Why is their defence considered poor? Is it because of the personnel or is it something Pellegrini (I assume he's still the coach) doesn't pay much attention to or do they play over attacking Football?

Usually they're good defending as a team, but without Gonzalo their CBs are not very high quality, and the back 4 lacks an organising leader. But Jaime makes a good point about Diego Lopez, who is a very good keeper.

Villarreal for the win.

Wasn't that the same keeper who was supposed to end up at Arsenal but failed a medical?

kas wrote:

Black Magic wrote:Trying to think of Villarreal's attributes just reminded me of how little La Liga Football I've watched in the last 18 months.

Why is their defence considered poor? Is it because of the personnel or is it something Pellegrini (I assume he's still the coach) doesn't pay much attention to or do they play over attacking Football?

Usually they're good defending as a team, but without Gonzalo their CBs are not very high quality, and the back 4 lacks an organising leader. But Jaime makes a good point about Diego Lopez, who is a very good keeper.

Gonzalo-Godin is a very good partnership at the back. But like kas says, Gonzalo has been injured a lot. He's back in training and will probably play at the weekend. If he is fit for the Arsenal tie that will be a massive boost for Villarreal. Otherwise Cygan might have to play.

Ray Parlour wrote:Wasn't that the same keeper who was supposed to end up at Arsenal but failed a medical?

I don't think Villarreal have ever had a formal offer for Lopez. He's been linked with Man U for a while but that's it.

Jaime wrote:

kas wrote:

Black Magic wrote:Trying to think of Villarreal's attributes just reminded me of how little La Liga Football I've watched in the last 18 months.

Why is their defence considered poor? Is it because of the personnel or is it something Pellegrini (I assume he's still the coach) doesn't pay much attention to or do they play over attacking Football?

Usually they're good defending as a team, but without Gonzalo their CBs are not very high quality, and the back 4 lacks an organising leader. But Jaime makes a good point about Diego Lopez, who is a very good keeper.

Gonzalo-Godin is a very good partnership at the back. But like kas says, Gonzalo has been injured a lot. He's back in training and will probably play at the weekend. If he is fit for the Arsenal tie that will be a massive boost for Villarreal. Otherwise Cygan might have to play.

Ray Parlour wrote:Wasn't that the same keeper who was supposed to end up at Arsenal but failed a medical?

Sebastien Viera?

One frustrating thing about Villareal is they've got a lot of players that are good at playing keep ball, not the sort team you'd like to play on a day when u are sloppy.

Tweedle wrote:

Ray Parlour wrote:Wasn't that the same keeper who was supposed to end up at Arsenal but failed a medical?

Sebastien Viera?